Pakistan bowler Asif detained for drug possession at Dubai airport

The 25-year-old was seized while returning home from India after featuring in a domestic event which ended on Sunday, said Pakistan Cricket Board officials.

PCB human resources director Nadeem Akram said: "Yes, he has been detained by authorities at Dubai airport for the last 36 hours.

Detained: Mohammed Asif has been detained at Dubai Airport for carrying an illegal substance.

"We are co-ordinating with the Pakistan embassy and handling this issue.

"I am in Dubai as part of the PCB's efforts to get Asif cleared.

"As far as we know a contraband item was in his wallet which he himself did not know and it's in a very small quantity.

"The substance recovered from him has been sent for tests.

"Police have conducted several tests on Asif including a urine test.

"He is detained not arrested. We will now follow the legal procedures and we have hired lawyers for this purpose."

The PCB are due to hold a press conference later today.

The arrest is just the latest controversy to hit Pakistan's troubled cricket team over the last two years.

Asif, who has claimed 51 wickets in 11 test matches and recently featured in the Indian Premier League 20/20 tournament, was banned for one year after he tested positive for the steroid nandrolone in October 2006.

Fellow paceman Shoaib Akhtar was banned for two years on the same charge.

The PCB initially banned the players for one and two years respectively, but the bans were overturned on appeal.

Akhtar, meanwhile, is appealing a lifetime ban imposed in April for repeated disciplinary problems.